[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 87 (Monday, June 27, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H5202-H5203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1428) to authorize appropriations for the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 1428
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
[[Page H5203]]
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2005''.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 10(a)(1) of the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3709(a)(1)) is
amended by striking ``fiscal years 2001 through 2005'' and
inserting ``fiscal years 2006 through 2010''.
SEC. 3. APPLICATION OF NOTICE REQUIREMENT LIMITED TO GRANTS
MADE WITH FEDERAL FUNDS.
Section 4(i) of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3703(i)) is amended by striking
``grant of funds'' and inserting ``grant of Federal funds in
an amount greater than $10,000''.
SEC. 4. CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO USE FEDERAL FUNDS TO
MATCH CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO RECIPIENTS OF
NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION GRANTS.
Section 10(a)(3) of the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3709(a)(3)) is
amended by inserting ``, or to a recipient of a grant
provided by the Foundation,'' after ``made to the
Foundation''.
SEC. 5. REPEAL.
Effective September 30, 2015, section 10(a)(1) of the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16
U.S.C. 3709(a)(1)) is hereby repealed.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Mexico (Mr. Pearce) and the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce).
General Leave
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 1428, the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Mexico?
There was no objection.
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 1428 introduced by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the distinguished chairman of
the House Resources Committee, which extends the existing authorization
levels for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Since its creation in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
has funded more than 6,420 conservation projects. These efforts have
been coordinated with more than 1,800 different conservation
organizations. The fundamental goal of these projects has been to
increase resources for fish and wildlife conservation, develop
innovative conservation solutions, respect private property rights, and
sustain healthy ecosystems.
Unlike most conservation groups, this organization requires its
grantees to sign an agreement stipulating that no Federal funds will be
used for lobbying or litigation purposes. Instead of simply talking
about conserving critical habitat, the foundation has accomplished that
effort by taking their limited Federal dollars, and, through its
challenge grant approach, generating over $900 million in private
matching funds. This is a remarkable achievement.
H.R. 1428 is a simple, noncontroversial and bipartisan bill. I urge
an aye vote.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
(Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. As stated by my friend and colleague the
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce), the overall purpose of this
legislation is to reauthorize the appropriations and to make minor
technical and clarifying changes to the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Establishment Act.
H.R. 1428 will help ensure that this important congressionally
chartered foundation continues its successful work in supporting
effective on-ground conservation partnerships, not only in my State of
New Mexico, but also across the country.
I urge Members to support this noncontroversial bill, and I thank the
majority and minority staff of the Resources Committee, and especially
Dave Jansen.
Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of
H.R. 1084, a bill I introduced regarding a defining historical event
for my State of New Hampshire, and indeed, all of the United States.
The American Civil War was the deadliest war in all of American history
with casualties totaling more than all other American Wars combined.
The bloodiest day of the bloodiest war came on September 17, 1862 just
outside the small town of Sharpsburg, Maryland. This battle involved
93,000 men and resulted in 23,000 American casualties on the fields
surrounding Antietam Creek. The battle of Antietam, even today, is the
single most deadly day in all of American history. Among the soldiers
fighting that day were men of the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth New Hampshire
Volunteer Infantry Regiments and the First New Hampshire Light
Artillery Battery. Unfortunately, these brave men who fought and died
in the Battle of Antietam do not have a marker on the field to signify
their sacrifice. Although there are over 400 monuments, tablets and
markers on the field of battle, none are dedicated to the brave men who
fought and died that early fall day. As the 150th anniversary of the
Civil War is approaching, I ask that the House help correct an
unfortunate oversight and bring deserving recognition to these
soldiers.
In this effort, Congressman Bass and I have introduced H.R. 1084,
which would authorize the establishment of a Memorial at Antietam
National Battlefield for the New Hampshire soldiers who fought in the
historic battle. Importantly, this bill does not authorize any Federal
appropriations, nor require any local municipality in Maryland to help
finance the costs of the construction or maintenance of the monument.
Any monument built and maintained at the Antietam National Battlefield
Park would be entirely paid for by private sources. Additionally, the
design, size, and location of any monument authorized under this bill
would be at the total discretion of the Secretary of the Interior and
any proposals that do not meet their desires may be rejected. Citizens
of New Hampshire have passionately expressed to me, through both direct
conversations as well as State passed legislation, that they would
relish the opportunity to at last place a deserving monument on the
battleground at Antietam.
In closing, I would like to call to mind an excerpt from a report
issued by a correspondent of the Manchester Daily Mirror on September
20, 1862, three days after the horrific battle:
For two hours there was never sharper musketry heard or
seen, and New Hampshire blood flowed freely in the contest.
The Ninth suffered terribly but never flinched, and every man
stood before the awful carnage without one thought of
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, these men exemplified the steadfast bravery that is a
hallmark of American soldiers across generations. On behalf of the
citizens of New Hampshire, I ask for the assistance of the House in
helping to furnish a proper monument to these commendable Americans.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1428, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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